Events, archaeological sites, links

Find out more: sites, events

There are a range of opportunities for those who want to find out more about archaeology or to become more involved, from viewing sites as they are being excavated, learning about discoveries and artefacts, to volunteering to work with archaeologists on a dig. Below you'll find information and links on significant archaeology in NSW.

Events

When highly significant sites are excavated, open days are often held for the general public so everyone has the opportunity to visit our special sites and learn how archaeology helps us to understand the past. The Heritage Branch works with developers to encourage these interpretation activities through the excavation permit process.

Parramatta Children's Court Site 2004

George Street, Parramatta 2002

KENS site open day, Sydney 2004

Over the last couple of years open days have been held at 25 important sites around NSW. A diverse range of sites have been inspected by the public, including the Orphan Male School in Fairfield, Hawkesbury Hospital in Windsor, Lord Howe Island, Parramatta Children's Court and Justice Precinct on the former Parramatta Hospital Site, Luna Park in North Sydney, the Quadrant site in Sydney, the Tank Stream, the KENs site and the Old Sydney Burial Ground in Sydney. Open Days have also been held for important sites outside Sydney in places like Port Macquarie (itself a convict-era town) and in Mittagong in the Southern Highlands (Fitz Roy Ironworks).

Not all of NSW's archaeology remains hidden from view. As part of its commitment to public access and participation, the Heritage Branch encourages the interpretation of archaeological remains. The best way to understand what archaeology is all about is to visit these special places and see how they can help us to understand our past. The Heritage Council has published Guidelines for the Interpretation of important heritage places and approvals for permits under the Heritage Act will often require interpretation, especially for State-significant sites. In recent years the Heritage Branch has been working on building a network of such sites in places like Parramatta and Port Macquarie.

The following are sites with interpretation of archaeological remains:

Cabonne

Cadia Village, Garden of Remembrance and Engine House (Limited access. Cadia Hill Mining Company run occasional tours. Contact the Orange Visitors Centre for information on the next public tour.)

Corner of Church Street and James Ruse Drive, North Parramatta, entry of the Bunnings Warehouse

The Dairy, Parramatta Park

Elizabeth Farm House, Alice Street, Parramatta

To coincide with National Archaeology Week 2010 the Heritage Branch has prepared an Archaeology Walking Tour Brochure (ParramattaArchaeologyTour.pdf, 1.1MB). This brochure provides information about a number of the Parramatta Sites listed above.

Port Macquarie-Hastings

The Glasshouse, Clarence Street corner Hay Street, Port Macquarie NEW

Government House Site (Focus Apartments) Clarence Street corner School Street, Port Macquarie

The Observatory, William Street, Port Macquarie

Sydney

The Belgian Beer Cafe, 135 Harrington St, The Rocks (located in the old St Patrick School Hall)

Wingecarribee

Archaeological sites online

You can go to the websites below to find out about some major archaeological investigations which have recently been undertaken in Sydney. The websites include information and photographs of excavations and discoveries: